Chapter 30
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
When the government of a country increases the growth rate of the money supply
from 5 percent per year to 50 percent per year, the average level of prices will start
rising very quickly, as predicted by the quantity theory of money.
Nominal interest
rates will increase dramatically as well, as predicted by the Fisher effect.
The
government may be increasing the money supply to finance its expenditures.
2.
Six costs of inflation are:
(1) shoeleather costs; (2) menu costs; (3) relative-price
variability and the misallocation of resources; (4) inflation-induced tax distortions; (5)
confusion and inconvenience; and (6) arbitrary redistributions of wealth.
Shoeleather
costs arise because inflation causes people to spend resources going to the bank more
often.
Menu costs occur when people spend resources changing their posted prices.
Relative-price variability occurs because as general prices rise, a fixed dollar price
translates into a declining relative price, so the relative prices of goods are constantly
changing, causing a misallocation of resources.
The combination of inflation and
taxation causes distortions in incentives because people are taxed on their nominal
capital gains and interest income instead of their real income from these sources.
Inflation causes confusion and inconvenience because it reduces money’s ability to
function as a unit of account.
Unexpected inflation redistributes wealth between
borrowers and lenders.
Questions for Review
1.
An increase in the price level reduces the real value of money because each dollar in
your wallet now buys a smaller quantity of goods and services.
2.
According to the quantity theory of money, an increase in the quantity of money
causes a proportional increase in the price level.
3.
Nominal variables are those measured in monetary units, while real variables are those
measured in physical units. Examples of nominal variables include the prices of goods,
wages, and nominal GDP. Examples of real variables include relative prices (the price
of one good in terms of another), real wages, and real GDP. According to the principle
of monetary neutrality, only nominal variables are affected by changes in the quantity
of money.
4.
Inflation is like a tax because everyone who holds money loses purchasing power. In a
hyperinflation, the government increases the money supply rapidly, which leads to a
high rate of inflation. Thus the government uses the inflation tax, instead of taxes, to
finance its spending.
5.
According to the Fisher effect, an increase in the inflation rate raises the nominal
interest rate by the same amount that the inflation rate increases, with no effect on the
real interest rate.
6.
The costs of inflation include shoeleather costs associated with reduced money
holdings, menu costs associated with more frequent adjustment of prices, increased
variability of relative prices, unintended changes in tax liabilities due to nonindexation
of the tax code, confusion and inconvenience resulting from a changing unit of
account, and arbitrary redistributions of wealth between debtors and creditors. With a
low and stable rate of inflation like that in the United States, none of these costs are
very high. Perhaps the most important one is the interaction between inflation and the
tax code, which may reduce saving and investment even though the inflation rate is
low.
7.
If inflation is less than expected, creditors benefit and debtors lose. Creditors receive
dollar payments from debtors that have a higher real value than was expected.
Problems and Applications
1.
In this problem, all amounts are shown in billions.
a.
Nominal GDP = P x Y = $10,000 and Y = real GDP = $5,000, so P = (P x Y )/Y
= $10,000/$5,000 = 2.
Because M x V = P x Y, then V = (P x Y )/M = $10,000/$500 = 20.
b.
If M and V are unchanged and Y rises by 5%, then because M x V = P x Y, P
must fall by 5%. As a result, nominal GDP is unchanged.
c.
To keep the price level stable, the Fed must increase the money supply by 5%,
matching the increase in real GDP. Then, because velocity is unchanged, the
price level will be stable.
d.
If the Fed wants inflation to be 10%, it will need to increase the money supply
15%. Thus M x V will rise 15%, causing P x Y to rise 15%, with a 10% increase
in prices and a 5% rise in real GDP.
2.
a.
If people need to hold less cash, the demand for money shifts to the left,
because there will be less money demanded at any price level.
b.
If the Fed does not respond to this event, the shift to the left of the demand for
money combined with no change in the supply of money leads to a decline in
the value of money (1/P), which means the price level rises, as shown in Figure
1.
Figure 1
c.
If the Fed wants to keep the price level stable, it should reduce the money
supply from S1 to S2 in Figure 2. This would cause the supply of money to shift
to the left by the same amount that the demand for money shifted, resulting in
no change in the value of money and the price level.
Figure 2
3.
With constant velocity, reducing the inflation rate to zero would require the money
growth rate to equal the growth rate of output, according to the quantity theory of
money (M x V = P x Y ).
4.
If a country's inflation rate increases sharply, the inflation tax on holders of money
increases significantly. Wealth in savings accounts is not subject to a change in the
inflation tax because the nominal interest rate will increase with the rise in inflation. But
holders of savings accounts are hurt by the increase in the inflation rate because they
are taxed on their nominal interest income, so their real returns are lower.
5.
Hyperinflations usually arise when governments try to finance much of their
expenditures by printing money. This is unlikely to occur if the central bank (which is
responsible for controlling the level of the money supply) is independent of the
government.
6.
a.
When the price of both goods doubles in a year, inflation is 100%. Let’s set the
market basket equal to one unit of each good. The cost of the market basket is
initially $4 and becomes $8 in the second year. Thus, the rate of inflation is ($8
− $4)/$4 × 100% = 100%. Because the prices of all goods rise by 100%, the
farmers get a 100% increase in their incomes to go along with the
100%increase in prices, so neither is affected by the change in prices.
b.
If the price of beans rises to $2 and the price of rice rises to $4, then the cost
of the market basket in the second year is $6. This means that the inflation
rate is ($6 − $4) / $4 × 100% = 50%. Bob is better off because his dollar
revenues doubled (increased 100%) while inflation was only 50%. Rita is
worse off because inflation was 50% percent, so the prices of the goods she
buys rose faster than the price of the goods (rice) she sells, which rose only
33%.
c.
If the price of beans rises to $2 and the price of rice falls to $1.50, then the
cost of the market basket in the second year is $3.50. This means that the
inflation rate is ($3.5 − $4) / $4 × 100% = -12.5%. Bob is better off because
his dollar revenues doubled (increased 100%) while prices overall fell 12.5%.
Rita is worse off because inflation was -12.5%, so the prices of the goods she
buys didn't fall as fast as the price of the goods (rice) she sells, which fell 50%.
d.
The relative price of rice and beans matters more to Bob and Rita than the
overall inflation rate. If the price of the good that a person produces rises more
than inflation, he or she will be better off. If the price of the good a person
produces rises less than inflation, he or she will be worse off.
7.
The following table shows the relevant calculations:
(a)
(1) Nominal interest rate
8.0
(b)
(c)
5.0
4.0
(2) Inflation rate
4.0
1.0
3.0
(3) Before-tax real interest rate
4.0
4.0
1.0
(4) Reduction in nominal interest rate due to 35% tax
2.8
1.75
1.4
(5) After-tax nominal interest rate
5.2
3.25
2.6
(6) After-tax real interest rate
1.2
2.25
-0.4
Row (3) is row (1) minus row (2). Row (4) is .35 x row (1). Row (5) is (1 − .35) x row
(1), which equals row (1) minus row (4). Row (6) is row (5) minus row (2).
8.
The shoeleather costs of going to the bank include the value of your time, gas for your
car that is used as you drive to the bank, and the inconvenience of not having more
money on hand. These costs could be measured by valuing your time at your wage
rate and valuing the gas for your car at its cost. Valuing the inconvenience of being
short of cash is harder to measure, but might depend on the value of the shopping
opportunities you give up by not having enough money to buy things you want. Your
college president differs from you mainly in having a higher wage, thus having a higher
cost of time.
9.
The functions of money are to serve as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and
a store of value. Inflation mainly affects the ability of money to serve as a store of
value, because inflation erodes money's purchasing power, making it less attractive as
a store of value. Money also is not as useful as a unit of account when there is inflation,
because stores have to change prices more often and because people are confused
and inconvenienced by the changes in the value of money. In some countries with
hyperinflation, stores post prices in terms of a more stable currency, such as the U.S.
dollar, even when the local currency is still used as the medium of exchange.
Sometimes countries even stop using their local currency altogether and use a foreign
currency as the medium of exchange as well.
10.
a.
Unexpectedly high inflation helps the government by providing higher tax
revenue and reducing the real value of outstanding government debt.
b.
Unexpectedly high inflation helps a homeowner with a fixed-rate mortgage
because he pays a fixed nominal interest rate that was based on expected
inflation, and thus pays a lower real interest rate than was expected.
c.
Unexpectedly high inflation hurts a union worker in the second year of a labor
contract because the contract probably based the worker's nominal wage on
the expected inflation rate. As a result, the worker receives a
lower-than-expected real wage.
d.
Unexpectedly high inflation hurts a college that has invested some of its
endowment in government bonds because the higher inflation rate means the
college is receiving a lower real interest rate than it had planned. (This
assumes that the college did not purchase indexed Treasury bonds.)
11.
The redistribution from creditors to debtors is something that happens when inflation is
unexpected, not when it is expected. The problems that occur with both expected and
unexpected inflation include shoeleather costs associated with reduced money
holdings, menu costs associated with more frequent adjustment of prices, increased
variability of relative prices, unintended changes in tax liabilities due to nonindexation
of the tax code, and the confusion and inconvenience resulting from a changing unit of
account.
12.
a.
The statement that "Inflation hurts borrowers and helps lenders, because
borrowers must pay a higher rate of interest," is false. Higher expected
inflation means borrowers pay a higher nominal rate of interest, but it is the
same real rate of interest, so borrowers are not worse off and lenders are not
better off. Higher unexpected inflation, on the other hand, makes borrowers
better off and lenders worse off.
b.
The statement, "If prices change in a way that leaves the overall price level
unchanged, then no one is made better or worse off," is false. Changes in
relative prices can make some people better off and others worse off, even
though the overall price level does not change. See problem 7 for an
illustration of this.
c.
The statement, "Inflation does not reduce the purchasing power of most
workers," is true. Most workers' incomes keep up with inflation reasonably
well.
Chapter 31
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
Net exports are the value of a nation’s exports minus the value of its imports, also
called the trade balance. Net capital outflow is the purchase of foreign assets by
domestic residents minus the purchase of domestic assets by foreigners. Net exports
equal net capital outflow.
2.
The nominal exchange rate is the rate at which a person can trade the currency of one
country for the currency of another. The real exchange rate is the rate at which a
person can trade the goods and services of one country for the goods and services of
another. They are related through the expression: real exchange rate equals nominal
exchange rate times domestic price divided by foreign price.
If the nominal exchange rate goes from 100 to 120 yen per dollar, the dollar has
appreciated because a dollar now buys more yen.
3.
Because Spain has had high inflation and Japan has had low inflation, the number of
Spanish pesetas a person can buy with Japanese yen has increased.
Questions for Review
1.
The net exports of a country are the value of its exports minus the value of its imports.
Net capital outflow refers to the purchase of foreign assets by domestic residents
minus the purchase of domestic assets by foreigners. Net exports are equal to net
capital outflow by an accounting identity, because exports from one country to another
are matched by payments of some asset from the second country to the first.
2.
Saving equals domestic investment plus net capital outflow, because any dollar saved
can be used to finance accumulation of domestic capital or it can be used to finance the
purchase of capital abroad.
3.
If a dollar can buy 100 yen, the nominal exchange rate is 100 yen per dollar. The real
exchange rate equals the nominal exchange rate times the domestic price divided by
the foreign price, which equals 100 yen per dollar times $10,000 per American car
divided by 500,000 yen per Japanese car, which equals two Japanese cars per
American car.
4.
The economic logic behind the theory of purchasing-power parity is that a good must
sell for the same price in all locations. Otherwise, people would profit by engaging in
arbitrage.
5.
If the Fed started printing large quantities of U.S. dollars, the U.S. price level would
increase, and a dollar would buy fewer Japanese yen.
Problems and Applications
1.
a.
When an American art professor spends the summer touring museums in
Europe, he spends money buying foreign goods and services, so U.S. exports
are unchanged, imports increase, and net exports decrease.
b.
When students in Paris flock to see the latest movie from Hollywood,
foreigners are buying a U.S. good, so U.S. exports rise, imports are
unchanged, and net exports increase.
c.
When your uncle buys a new Volvo, an American is buying a foreign good, so
U.S. exports are unchanged, imports rise, and net exports decline.
d.
When the student bookstore at Oxford University sells a pair of Levi's 501
jeans, foreigners are buying U.S. goods, so U.S. exports increase, imports are
unchanged, and net exports increase.
e.
When a Canadian citizen shops in northern Vermont to avoid Canadian sales
taxes, a foreigner is buying U.S. goods, so U.S. exports increase, imports are
unchanged, and net exports increase.
2.
a.
When a Canadian buys 100 shares of stock in General Motors, there is a
decrease in net capital outflow.
b.
When an American firm builds a factory in Mexico, there is an increase in net
capital outflow.
c.
When a Mexican buys a bottle of Chardonnay produced in California, there is
an increase in net exports.
d.
When an American mutual fund corporation buys a share of stock in a British
company, there is an increase in net capital outflow.
3.
a.
Wheat is traded more internationally than in the past because shipping costs
have declined, as have trade restrictions.
b.
Banking services are traded more internationally than in the past because
communications costs have declined, as have trade restrictions.
c.
Computer software is traded more internationally than in the past because the
computer industry has grown and the software is easier to transport (because
it can now be downloaded electronically).
d.
Automobiles are traded more internationally than in the past because
transportation costs have declined, as have tariffs and quotas.
4.
Foreign direct investment requires actively managing an investment, for example, by
opening a retail store in a foreign country. Foreign portfolio investment is passive, for
example, buying corporate stock in a retail chain in a foreign country. As a result, a
corporation is more likely to engage in foreign direct investment, while an individual
investor is more likely to engage in foreign portfolio investment.
5.
a.
When an American cellular phone company establishes an office in the Czech
Republic, U.S. net capital outflow increases, because the U.S. company makes
a direct investment in capital in the foreign country.
b.
When Harrod's of London sells stock to the General Electric pension fund, U.S.
net capital outflow increases, because the U.S. company makes a portfolio
investment in the foreign country.
c.
When Honda expands its factory in Marysville, Ohio, U.S. net capital outflow
declines, because the foreign company makes a direct investment in capital in
the United States.
d.
When a Fidelity mutual fund sells its Volkswagen stock to a French investor,
U.S. net capital outflow declines (if the French investor pays in U.S. dollars),
because the U.S. company is reducing its portfolio investment in a foreign
country.
6.
If national saving is constant and net capital outflow increases, domestic investment
must decrease, because national saving equals domestic investment plus net capital
outflow. If domestic investment declines, the country's accumulation of domestic
capital declines.
7.
a.
The newspaper shows nominal exchange rates, because it shows the number
of units of one currency that can be exchanged for another currency.
b.
Many answers are possible.
c.
If U.S. inflation exceeds Japanese inflation over the next year, you would
expect the dollar to depreciate relative to the Japanese yen because a dollar
would decline in value (in terms of the goods and services it can buy) more
than the yen would.
8.
a.
Dutch pension funds holding U.S. government bonds would be happy if the
U.S. dollar appreciated. They would then get more Dutch guilders for each
dollar they earned on their U.S. investment. In general, if you have an
investment in a foreign country, you are better off if that country's currency
appreciates.
b.
U.S. manufacturing industries would be unhappy if the U.S. dollar appreciated
because their prices would be higher in terms of foreign currencies, which will
reduce their sales.
c.
Australian tourists planning a trip to the United States would be unhappy if the
U.S. dollar appreciated because they would get fewer U.S. dollars for each
Australian dollar, so their vacation will be more expensive.
d.
An American firm trying to purchase property overseas would be happy if the
U.S. dollar appreciated because it would get more units of the foreign currency
and could thus buy more property.
9.
All the parts of this question can be answered by keeping in mind the definition of the
real exchange rate. The real exchange rate equals the nominal exchange rate times the
domestic price level divided by the foreign price level.
a.
If the U.S. nominal exchange rate is unchanged, but prices rise faster in the
United States than abroad, the real exchange rate rises.
b.
If the U.S. nominal exchange rate is unchanged, but prices rise faster abroad
than in the United States, the real exchange rate declines.
c.
If the U.S. nominal exchange rate declines and prices are unchanged in the
United States and abroad, the real exchange rate declines.
d.
If the U.S. nominal exchange rate declines and prices rise faster abroad than in
the United States, the real exchange rate declines.
10.
If purchasing-power parity holds, then 12 pesos per soda divided by $0.75 per soda
equals the exchange rate of 16 pesos per dollar. If prices in Mexico doubled, the
exchange rate will double to 32 pesos per dollar.
11.
a.
To make a profit, you would want to buy rice where it is cheap and sell it where
it is expensive. Because American rice costs 100 dollars per bushel, and the
exchange rate is 80 yen per dollar, American rice costs 100 x 80 equals 8,000
yen per bushel. So American rice at 8,000 yen per bushel is cheaper than
Japanese rice at 16,000 yen per bushel. So you could take 8,000 yen,
exchange them for 100 dollars, buy a bushel of American rice, then sell it in
Japan for 16,000 yen, making a profit of 8,000 yen. As people did this, the
demand for American rice would rise, increasing the price in America, and the
supply of Japanese rice would rise, reducing the price in Japan. The process
would continue until the prices in the two countries were the same.
b.
If rice were the only commodity in the world, the real exchange rate between
the United States and Japan would start out too low, then rise as people
bought rice in America and sold it in Japan, until the real exchange became
one in long-run equilibrium.
12.
If you take X units of foreign currency per Big Mac divided by 3.06 dollars per Big Mac,
you get X/3.06 units of the foreign currency per dollar; that is the predicted exchange
rate.
a.
Indonesia: 14,600/3.06 = 4,771 rupiah/$
Hungary: 529/3.06 = 173 forint/$
Czech Republic: 56.30/3.06 = 18.4 koruna/$
Canada: 3.27/3.06 = 1.07C$/$
b.
Under purchasing-power parity, the exchange rate of the Hungarian forint to
the Canadian dollar is 529 forints per Big Mac divided by 3.27 Canadian dollars
per Big Mac equals 162 forints per Canadian dollar. The actual exchange rate is
204 forints per dollar divided by 1.24 Canadian dollars per dollar equals 164.5
forints per Canadian dollar.
c.
The exchange rate predicted by the Big Mac index (162 forints per Canadian
dollar) is very close to the actual exchange rate of 164.5 forints per Canadian
dollar.
Chapter 32
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
The supply of loanable funds comes from national saving.
The demand for loanable
funds comes from domestic investment and net capital outflow.
The supply in the
market for foreign-currency exchange comes from net capital outflow.
The demand
in the market for foreign-currency exchange comes from net exports.
2.
The two markets in the model of the open economy are the market for loanable funds
and the market for foreign-currency exchange.
prices:
These markets determine two relative
(1) the market for loanable funds determines the real interest rate and (2) the
market for foreign-currency exchange determines the real exchange rate.
3.
If Americans decided to spend a smaller fraction of their incomes, the increase in
saving would shift the supply curve for loanable funds to the right, as shown in Figure
1.
The decline in the real interest rate increases net capital outflow and shifts the
supply of dollars to the right in the market for foreign-currency exchange.
is a decline in the real exchange rate.
investment increases.
The result
Since the real interest rate is lower, domestic
Since the real exchange rate declines, net exports increase and
the trade balance moves toward surplus.
Overall, saving and domestic investment
increase, the real interest rate and real exchange rate decrease, and the trade balance
moves toward surplus.
Figure 1
Questions for Review
1.
The supply of loanable funds comes from national saving; the demand for loanable
funds comes from domestic investment and net capital outflow. The supply of dollars in
the market for foreign exchange comes from net capital outflow; the demand for
dollars in the market for foreign exchange comes from net exports. The link between
the two markets is net capital outflow.
2.
Government budget deficits and trade deficits are sometimes called the twin deficits
because a government budget deficit often leads to a trade deficit. The government
budget deficit leads to reduced national saving, causing the interest rate to increase,
and reducing net capital outflow. The decline in net capital outflow reduces the supply
of dollars, raising the real exchange rate. Thus, the trade balance will move toward
deficit.
3.
If a union of textile workers encourages people to buy only American-made clothes,
imports would be reduced, so net exports would increase for any given real exchange
rate. This would cause the demand curve in the market for foreign exchange to shift to
the right, as shown in Figure 2. The result is a rise in the real exchange rate, but no
effect on the trade balance. The textile industry would import less, but other industries,
such as the auto industry, would import more because of the higher real exchange
rate.
Figure 2
4.
Capital flight is a large and sudden movement of funds out of a country. Capital flight
causes the interest rate to increase and the exchange rate to depreciate.
Problems and Applications
1.
Japan generally runs a trade surplus because the Japanese savings rate is high relative
to Japanese domestic investment. The result is high net capital outflow, which is
matched by high net exports, resulting in a trade surplus. The other possibilities (high
foreign demand for Japanese goods, low Japanese demand for foreign goods, and
structural barriers against imports into Japan) would affect the real exchange rate, but
not the trade surplus.
2.
a.
A reduction in the U.S. government budget deficit would increase national
saving, shifting the supply curve of loanable funds to the right in Figure 3. This
would reduce the real interest rate in the United States, thus increasing net
capital outflow, and reducing the real exchange rate. The real value of the
dollar would decline, not increase as the president suggested. However, the
trade deficit will decline.
Figure 3
b.
The increased confidence would lead to a reduction in net capital outflow as
shown in Figure 4. The demand for loanable funds will fall, along with the real
interest rate. The decline in net capital outflow will also reduce the supply of
dollars, increasing the real exchange rate. Thus, the trade balance will move
toward deficit.
Figure 4
3.
If Congress passes an investment tax credit, it subsidizes domestic investment. The
desire to increase domestic investment leads firms to borrow more, increasing the
demand for loanable funds, as shown in Figure 5. This raises the real interest rate, thus
reducing net capital outflow. The decline in net capital outflow reduces the supply of
dollars in the market for foreign exchange, raising the real exchange rate. The trade
balance also moves toward deficit, because net capital outflow, hence net exports, is
lower. The higher real interest rate also increases the quantity of national saving. In
summary, saving increases, domestic investment increases, net capital outflow
declines, the real interest rate increases, the real exchange rate increases, and the
trade balance moves toward deficit.
Figure 5
4.
a.
A decline in the quality of U.S. goods at a given real exchange rate would
reduce net exports, reducing the demand for dollars, thus shifting the demand
curve for dollars to the left in the market for foreign exchange, as shown in
Figure 6.
b.
The shift to the left of the demand curve for dollars leads to a decline in the
real exchange rate. Because net capital outflow is unchanged, and net exports
equals net capital outflow, there is no change in equilibrium in net exports or
the trade balance.
c.
The claim in the popular press is incorrect. A change in the quality of U.S.
goods cannot lead to a rise in the trade deficit. The decline in the real
exchange rate means that we get fewer foreign goods in exchange for our
goods, so our standard of living may decline.
Figure 6
5.
A reduction in restrictions of imports would reduce net exports at any given real
exchange rate, thus shifting the demand curve for dollars to the left. The shift of the
demand curve for dollars leads to a decline in the real exchange rate, which increases
net exports. Because net capital outflow is unchanged, and net exports equals net
capital outflow, there is no change in equilibrium in net exports or the trade balance.
But both imports and exports rise, so export industries benefit.
6.
a.
When U.S. consumers increase their demand for imported olive oil, the
demand for dollars in the foreign-currency market decreases at any given real
exchange rate, as shown in Figure 7.
b.
The result of the decreased demand for dollars is a fall in the real exchange
rate.
c.
The quantity of net exports is unchanged.
Figure 7
7.
An export subsidy increases net exports at any given real exchange rate. This causes
the demand for dollars to shift to the right in the market for foreign exchange, as
shown in Figure 8. The effect is a higher real exchange rate, but no change in net
exports. So the senator is wrong; an export subsidy will not reduce the trade deficit.
Figure 8
8.
Higher real interest rates in Europe lead to increased U.S. net capital outflow. Higher
net capital outflow leads to higher net exports, because in equilibrium net exports
equal net capital outflow (NX = NCO ). Figure 9 shows that the increase in net capital
outflow leads to a lower real exchange rate, higher real interest rate, and increased net
exports.
Figure 9
9.
a.
If the elasticity of U.S. net capital outflow with respect to the real interest rate
is very high, the lower real interest rate that occurs because of the increase in
private saving will increase net capital outflow a great deal, so U.S. domestic
investment will not increase much.
b.
Because an increase in private saving reduces the real interest rate, inducing
an increase in net capital outflow, the real exchange rate will decline. If the
elasticity of U.S. exports with respect to the real exchange rate is very low, it
will take a large decline in the real exchange rate to increase U.S. net exports
by enough to match the increase in net capital outflow.
10.
a.
If the Japanese decided they no longer wanted to buy U.S. assets, U.S. net
capital outflow would increase, increasing the demand for loanable funds, as
shown in Figure 10. The result is a rise in U.S. interest rates, an increase in the
quantity of U.S. saving (because of the higher interest rate), and lower U.S.
domestic investment.
b.
In the market for foreign exchange, the real exchange rate declines and the
balance of trade moves toward surplus.
Figure 10
11.
The flight to safety led to a desire by foreigners to buy U.S. government bonds,
resulting in a decline in U.S. net capital outflow, as shown in Figure 11. The decline in
net capital outflow also means a decline in the demand for loanable funds. As the
figure shows, the shift to the left in the demand curve results in a decline in the real
interest rate in the United States. In addition, the decrease in net capital outflow
decreases the supply of dollars in the foreign-exchange market, causing the dollar to
appreciate, shown as a rise in the real exchange rate. The lower real interest rate
causes national saving to decline, but increases domestic investment. Because net
capital outflow is lower, net exports are lower, thus the trade balance moves toward
deficit.
Figure 11
12.
a.
When U.S. mutual funds become more interested in investing in Canada,
Canadian net capital outflow declines as the U.S. mutual funds make portfolio
investments in Canadian stocks and bonds. The demand for loanable funds
shifts to the left and the net capital outflow curve shifts to the left, as shown in
Figure 12. As the figure shows, the real interest rate declines, thus reducing
Canada’s private saving, but increasing Canada’s domestic investment. In
equilibrium, Canadian net capital outflow declines.
b.
Because Canada's domestic investment increases, in the long run, Canada's
capital stock will increase.
c.
With a higher capital stock, Canadian workers will be more productive (the
value of their marginal product will increase) so wages will rise. Thus,
Canadian workers will be better off.
d.
The shift of investment into Canada means increased U.S. net capital outflow.
As a result, the U.S. real interest rises, leading to less domestic investment,
which in the long run reduces the U.S. capital stock, lowers the value of
marginal product of U.S. workers, and therefore decreases the wages of U.S.
workers. The impact on U.S. citizens would be different from the impact on
U.S. workers because some U.S. citizens own capital that now earns a higher
real interest rate.
Chapter 33
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
Three key facts about economic fluctuations are:
(1) economic fluctuations are
irregular and unpredictable; (2) most macroeconomic quantities fluctuate together;
and (3) as output falls, unemployment rises.
Economic fluctuations are irregular and unpredictable, as you can see by looking at a
graph of real GDP over time.
Some recessions are close together and others are far
apart. There appears to be no recurring pattern.
Most macroeconomic quantities fluctuate together.
In recessions, real GDP,
consumer spending, investment spending, corporate profits, and other macroeconomic
variables decline or grow much more slowly than during economic expansions.
However, the variables fluctuate by different amounts over the business cycle, with
investment varying much more than other variables.
As output falls, unemployment rises, because when firms want to produce less, they
lay off workers, thus causing a rise in unemployment.
2.
The economy’s behavior in the short run differs from its behavior in the long run
because the assumption of monetary neutrality applies only to the long run, not the
short run.
In the short run, real and nominal variables are highly intertwined.
Figure 1 shows the model of aggregate demand and aggregate supply.
The
horizontal axis shows the quantity of output, and the vertical axis shows the price level.
Figure 1
3.
The aggregate-demand curve slopes downward for three reasons.
First, when prices
fall, the value of dollars in people’s wallets and bank accounts rises, so they are
wealthier.
As a result, they spend more, thereby increasing the quantity of goods and
services demanded.
Second, when prices fall, people need less money to make their
purchases, so they lend more out, which reduces the interest rate.
The lower interest
rate encourages businesses to invest more, increasing the quantity of goods and
services demanded.
Third, since lower prices lead to a lower interest rate, some U.S.
investors will invest abroad, supplying dollars to the foreign-exchange market, thus
causing the dollar to depreciate.
The decline in the real exchange rate causes net
exports to increase, which increases the quantity of goods and services demanded.
Any event that alters the level of consumption, investment, government purchases, or
net exports at a given price level will lead to a shift in aggregate demand.
An increase
in expenditure will shift the aggregate-demand curve to the right, while a decline in
expenditure will shift the aggregate-demand curve to the left.
4.
The long-run aggregate-supply curve is vertical because the price level does not affect
the long-run determinants of real GDP, which include supplies of labor, capital, natural
resources, and the level of available technology.
This is just an application of the
classical dichotomy and monetary neutrality.
There are three reasons the short-run aggregate-supply curve slopes upward. First,
the sticky-wage theory suggests that because nominal wages are slow to adjust, a
decline in the price level means real wages are higher, so firms hire fewer workers and
produce less, causing the quantity of goods and services supplied to decline.
Second,
the sticky-price theory suggests that the prices of some goods and services are slow to
change.
If some economic event causes the overall price level to decline, the relative
prices of goods whose prices are sticky will rise and the quantity of those goods sold
will decline, leading firms to cut back on production.
the quantity of goods and services supplied.
Thus, a lower price level reduces
Third, the misperceptions theory
suggests that changes in the overall price level can temporarily mislead suppliers.
When the price level falls below the level that was expected, suppliers think that the
relative prices of their products have declined, so they produce less.
Thus, a lower
price level reduces the quantity of goods and services supplied.
The long-run and short-run aggregate-supply curves will both shift if the supplies of
labor, capital, or natural resources change or if technology changes.
A change in the
expected price level will shift the short-run aggregate-supply curve but will have no
effect on the long-run aggregate-supply curve.
Figure 2
5.
When a popular presidential candidate is elected, causing people to be more confident
about the future, they will spend more, causing the aggregate-demand curve to shift to
the right, as shown in Figure 2. The economy begins at point A with aggregate-demand
curve AD1 and short-run aggregate-supply curve AS1.
The equilibrium has price level
P1 and output level Y1. Increased confidence about the future causes the
aggregate-demand curve to shift to AD2.
level P2 and output level Y2.
The economy moves to point B, with price
Over time, price expectations adjust and the short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts up to AS2 and the economy moves to equilibrium at point
C, with price level P3 and output level Y1.
Questions for Review
1.
Two macroeconomic variables that decline when the economy goes into a recession
are real GDP and investment spending (many other answers are possible). A
macroeconomic variable that rises during a recession is the unemployment rate.
2.
Figure 3 shows aggregate demand, short-run aggregate supply, and long-run
aggregate supply.
Figure 3
3.
The aggregate-demand curve is downward sloping because: (1) a decrease in the price
level makes consumers feel wealthier, which in turn encourages them to spend more,
so there is a larger quantity of goods and services demanded; (2) a lower price level
reduces the interest rate, encouraging greater spending on investment, so there is a
larger quantity of goods and services demanded; (3) a fall in the U.S. price level causes
U.S. interest rates to fall, so the real exchange rate depreciates, stimulating U.S. net
exports, so there is a larger quantity of goods and services demanded.
4.
The long-run aggregate supply curve is vertical because in the long run, an economy's
supply of goods and services depends on its supplies of capital, labor, and natural
resources and on the available production technology used to turn these resources into
goods and services. The price level does not affect these long-run determinants of real
GDP.
5.
Three theories explain why the short-run aggregate-supply curve is upward sloping:
(1) the sticky-wage theory, in which a lower price level makes employment and
production less profitable because wages do not adjust immediately to the price level,
so firms reduce the quantity of goods and services supplied; (2) the sticky-price theory,
in which an unexpected fall in the price level leaves some firms with
higher-than-desired prices because not all prices adjust instantly to changing
conditions, which depresses sales and induces firms to reduce the quantity of goods
and services they produce; and (3) the misperceptions theory, in which a lower price
level causes misperceptions about relative prices, and these misperceptions induce
suppliers to respond to the lower price level by decreasing the quantity of goods and
services supplied.
6.
The aggregate-demand curve might shift to the left when something (other than a rise
in the price level) causes a reduction in consumption spending (such as a desire for
increased saving), a reduction in investment spending (such as increased taxes on the
returns to investment), decreased government spending (such as a cutback in defense
spending), or reduced net exports (such as when foreign economies go into recession).
Figure 4 traces through the steps of such a shift in aggregate demand. The economy
begins in equilibrium, with short-run aggregate supply, AS1, intersecting aggregate
demand, AD1, at point A. When the aggregate-demand curve shifts to the left to AD2,
the economy moves from point A to point B, reducing the price level and the quantity
of output. Over time, people adjust their perceptions, wages, and prices, shifting the
short-run aggregate-supply curve down to AS2, and moving the economy from point B
to point C, which is back on the long-run aggregate-supply curve and has a lower price
level.
Figure 4
7.
The aggregate-supply curve might shift to the left because of a decline in the
economy's capital stock, labor supply, or productivity, or an increase in the natural rate
of unemployment, all of which shift both the long-run and short-run aggregate-supply
curves to the left. An increase in the expected price level shifts just the short-run
aggregate-supply curve (not the long-run aggregate-supply curve) to the left.
Figure 5 traces through the effects of a shift in short-run aggregate supply. The
economy starts in equilibrium at point A. The aggregate-supply curve shifts to the left
from AS1 to AS2. The new equilibrium is at point B, the intersection of the
aggregate-demand curve and AS2. As time goes on, perceptions and expectations
adjust and the economy returns to long-run equilibrium at point A, because the
short-run aggregate-supply curve shifts back to its original position.
Figure 5
Problems and Applications
Figure 6
1.
a.
The current state of the economy is shown in Figure 6. The aggregate-demand
curve and short-run aggregate-supply curve intersect at the same point on the
long-run aggregate-supply curve.
b.
A stock market crash leads to a leftward shift of aggregate demand. The
equilibrium level of output and the price level will fall. Because the quantity of
output is less than the natural rate of output, the unemployment rate will rise
above the natural rate of unemployment.
c.
If nominal wages are unchanged as the price level falls, firms will be forced to
cut back on employment and production. Over time as expectations adjust, the
short-run aggregate-supply curve will shift to the right, moving the economy
back to the natural rate of output.
2.
a.
When the United States experiences a wave of immigration, the labor force
increases, so long-run aggregate supply shifts to the right.
b.
When Congress raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour, the natural rate of
unemployment rises, so the long-run aggregate-supply curve shifts to the left.
c.
When Intel invents a new and more powerful computer chip, productivity
increases, so long-run aggregate supply increases because more output can be
produced with the same inputs.
d.
When a severe hurricane damages factories along the East Coast, the capital
stock is smaller, so long-run aggregate supply declines.
3.
a.
The current state of the economy is shown in Figure 7. The aggregate-demand
curve and short-run aggregate-supply curve intersect at the same point on the
long-run aggregate-supply curve.
Figure 7
b.
If the central bank increases the money supply, aggregate demand shifts to
the right (to point B). In the short run, there is an increase in output and the
price level.
c.
Over time, nominal wages, prices, and perceptions will adjust to this new price
level. As a result, the short-run aggregate-supply curve will shift to the left.
The economy will return to its natural rate of output (point C).
d.
According to the sticky-wage theory, nominal wages at points A and B are
equal. However, nominal wages at point C are higher.
e.
According to the sticky-wage theory, real wages at point B are lower than real
wages at point A. However, real wages at points A and C are equal.
f.
Yes, this analysis is consistent with long-run monetary neutrality. In the long
run, an increase in the money supply causes an increase in the nominal wage,
but leaves the real wage unchanged.
4.
The idea of lengthening the shopping period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was
to increase aggregate demand. As Figure 8 shows, this could increase output back to
its long-run equilibrium level.
Figure 8
5.
a.
The statement that "the aggregate-demand curve slopes downward because it
is the horizontal sum of the demand curves for individual goods" is false. The
aggregate-demand curve slopes downward because a fall in the price level
raises the overall quantity of goods and services demanded through the wealth
effect, the interest-rate effect, and the exchange-rate effect.
b.
The statement that "the long-run aggregate-supply curve is vertical because
economic forces do not affect long-run aggregate supply" is false. Economic
forces of various kinds (such as population and productivity) do affect long-run
aggregate supply. The long-run aggregate-supply curve is vertical because the
price level does not affect long-run aggregate supply.
c.
The statement that "if firms adjusted their prices every day, then the short-run
aggregate-supply curve would be horizontal" is false. If firms adjusted prices
quickly and if sticky prices were the only possible cause for the upward slope of
the short-run aggregate-supply curve, then the short-run aggregate-supply
curve would be vertical, not horizontal. The short-run aggregate supply curve
would be horizontal only if prices were completely fixed.
d.
The statement that "whenever the economy enters a recession, its long-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts to the left" is false. An economy could enter a
recession if either the aggregate-demand curve or the short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts to the left.
6.
a.
According to the sticky-wage theory, the economy is in a recession because
the price level has declined so that real wages are too high, thus labor demand
is too low. Over time, as nominal wages are adjusted so that real wages
decline, the economy returns to full employment.
According to the sticky-price theory, the economy is in a recession because not
all prices adjust quickly. Over time, firms are able to adjust their prices more
fully, and the economy returns to the long-run aggregate-supply curve.
According to the misperceptions theory, the economy is in a recession when
the price level is below what was expected. Over time, as people observe the
lower price level, their expectations adjust, and the economy returns to the
long-run aggregate-supply curve.
b.
The speed of the recovery in each theory depends on how quickly price
expectations, wages, and prices adjust.
Figure 9
7.
If the Fed increases the money supply and people expect a higher price level, the
aggregate-demand curve shifts to the right and the short-run aggregate-supply curve
shifts to the left, as shown in Figure 9. The economy moves from point A to point B,
with no change in output and a rise in the price level (to P2). If the public does not
change its expectation of the price level, the short-run aggregate-supply curve does
not shift, the economy ends up at point C, and output increases along with the price
level (to P3).
8.
Figure 10 depicts an economy in a recession. The short-run aggregate-supply curve is
AS1 and the economy is at equilibrium at point A, which is to the left of the long-run
aggregate-supply curve. If policymakers take no action, the economy will return to the
long-run aggregate-supply curve over time as the short-run aggregate-supply curve
shifts to the right to AS2. The economy's new equilibrium is at point B.
Figure 10
9.
a.
People will likely expect that the new chairman will not actively fight inflation
so they will expect the price level to rise.
b.
If people believe that the price level will be higher over the next year, workers
will want higher nominal wages.
c.
Higher labor costs lead to reduced profitability.
d.
The short-run aggregate-supply curve will shift to the left as shown in Figure
11.
Figure 11
e.
A decline in short-run aggregate supply leads to reduced output and a higher
price level.
f.
No, this choice was probably not wise. The end result is stagflation, which
provides limited choices in terms of policies to remedy the situation.
Figure 12
10.
a.
If household wealth rises as the stock market booms, they will spend more on
consumer goods, so the aggregate-demand curve shifts to the right, as shown
in Figure 12. The equilibrium changes from point A to point B, so the price level
rises and output increases.
b.
If the price of crude oil rises, the short-run aggregate-supply curve will shift to
the left as shown in Figure 13. The equilibrium changes from point A to point
B, so the price level rises and output declines.
Figure 13
Figure 14
c.
If a series of tornados flattens several factories in the Midwest, the long-run
and short-run aggregate-supply curves will shift to the left because there are
will be less ability to produce output.
The result is a decline in the quantity of
output and a rise in the price level, as Figure 14 shows.
11.
a.
When the stock market declines sharply, wealth declines, so the
aggregate-demand curve shifts to the left, as shown in Figure 15. In the short
run, the economy moves from point A to point B, as output declines and the
price level declines. In the long run, the short-run aggregate-supply curve
shifts to the right to restore equilibrium at point C, with unchanged output and
a lower price level compared to point A.
Figure 15
Figure 16
b.
When the federal government increases spending on national defense, the rise
in government purchases shifts the aggregate-demand curve to the right, as
shown in Figure 16. In the short run, the economy moves from point A to point
B, as output and the price level rise. In the long run, the short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts to the left to restore equilibrium at point C, with
unchanged output and a higher price level compared to point A.
Figure 17
c.
When a technological improvement raises productivity, the long-run and
short-run aggregate-supply curves shift to the right, as shown in Figure 17.
The economy moves from point A to point B, as output rises and the price level
declines.
Figure 18
d.
When a recession overseas causes foreigners to buy fewer U.S. goods, net
exports decline, so the aggregate-demand curve shifts to the left, as shown in
Figure 18. In the short run, the economy moves from point A to point B, as
output declines and the price level declines. In the long run, the short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts to the right to restore equilibrium at point C,
with unchanged output and a lower price level compared to point A.
12.
a.
If firms become optimistic about future business conditions and increase
investment, the result is shown in Figure 19. The economy begins at point A
with aggregate-demand curve AD1 and short-run aggregate-supply curve AS1.
The equilibrium has price level P1 and output level Y1. Increased optimism
leads to greater investment, so the aggregate-demand curve shifts to AD2.
Now the economy is at point B, with price level P2 and output level Y2. The
aggregate quantity of output supplied rises because the price level has risen
and people have misperceptions about the price level, wages are sticky, or
prices are sticky, all of which cause output supplied to increase.
Figure 19
b.
Over time, as the misperceptions of the price level disappear, wages adjust, or
prices adjust, the short-run aggregate-supply curve shifts up to AS2 and the
economy gets to equilibrium at point C, with price level P3 and output level Y1.
The quantity of output demanded declines as the price level rises.
c.
The investment boom might increase the long-run aggregate-supply curve
because higher investment today means a larger capital stock in the future,
thus higher productivity and output.
13.
Economy B would have a more steeply sloped short-run aggregate-supply curve than
would Economy A, because only half of the wages in Economy B are “sticky.” A 5%
increase in the money supply would have a larger effect on output in Economy A and a
larger effect on the price level in Economy B.
14.
a.
Many answers are possible.
b.
Many answers are possible.
c.
Many answers are possible.
Chapter 34
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
According to the theory of liquidity preference, the interest rate adjusts to balance the
supply and demand for money.
Therefore, a decrease in the money supply will
increase the equilibrium interest rate.
This decrease in the money supply reduces
aggregate demand because the higher interest rate causes households to buy fewer
houses, reducing the demand for residential investment, and causes firms to spend
less on new factories and new equipment, reducing business investment.
2.
If the government reduces spending on highway construction by $10 billion, the
aggregate-demand curve shifts to the left because government purchases are lower.
The shift to the left of the aggregate-demand curve could be more than $10 billion if
the multiplier effect outweighs the crowding-out effect, or it could be less than $10
billion if the crowding-out effect outweighs the multiplier effect.
3.
If people become pessimistic about the future, they will spend less, causing the
aggregate-demand curve to shift to the left. If the Fed wants to stabilize aggregate
demand, it should increase the money supply. The increase in the money supply will
cause the interest rate to decline, thus stimulating residential and business investment.
The Fed might choose not to do this because by the time the policy action takes effect,
the long lag time might mean the economy would have recovered on its own, and the
increase in the money supply will cause inflation.
Questions for Review
1.
The theory of liquidity preference is Keynes's theory of how the interest rate is
determined. According to the theory, the aggregate-demand curve slopes downward
because: (1) a higher price level raises money demand; (2) higher money demand
leads to a higher interest rate; and (3) a higher interest rate reduces the quantity of
goods and services demanded. Thus, the price level has a negative relationship with
the quantity of goods and services demanded.
2.
A decrease in the money supply shifts the money-supply curve to the left. The
equilibrium interest rate will rise. The higher interest rate reduces consumption and
investment, so aggregate demand falls. Thus, the aggregate-demand curve shifts to
the left.
3.
If the government spends $3 billion to buy police cars, aggregate demand might
increase by more than $3 billion because of the multiplier effect on aggregate demand.
Aggregate demand might increase by less than $3 billion because of the crowding-out
effect on aggregate demand.
4.
If pessimism sweeps the country, households reduce consumption spending and firms
reduce investment, so aggregate demand falls. If the Fed wants to stabilize aggregate
demand, it must increase the money supply, reducing the interest rate, which will
induce households to save less and spend more and will encourage firms to invest
more, both of which will increase aggregate demand. If the Fed does not increase the
money supply, Congress could increase government purchases or reduce taxes to
increase aggregate demand.
5.
Government policies that act as automatic stabilizers include the tax system and
government spending through the unemployment-benefit system. The tax system acts
as an automatic stabilizer because when incomes are high, people pay more in taxes,
so they cannot spend as much. When incomes are low, so are taxes; thus, people can
spend more. The result is that spending is partly stabilized. Government spending
through the unemployment-benefit system acts as an automatic stabilizer because in
recessions the government transfers money to the unemployed so their incomes do not
fall as much and thus their spending will not fall as much.
Problems and Applications
1.
a.
When the Federal Reserve raises the discount rate, the money-supply curve
shifts to the left from MS 1 to MS 2, as shown in Figure 1. The result is a rise in
the interest rate.
Figure 1
Figure 2
b.
When a wave of consumer pessimism reduces aggregate demand, the
money-demand curve shifts to the left from MD 1 to MD 2, as shown in Figure 2.
The result is a decline in the interest rate.
c.
When banks begin to pay interest on all checkable deposits, the demand for
money increases, so the money-demand curve shifts to the right from MD 1 to
MD 2, as shown in Figure 3. The result is a rise in the interest rate.
Figure 3
d.
If the Federal Reserve sells bonds in open market operations, the
money-supply curve shifts to the left from MS 1 to MS 2, as shown in Figure 1.
The result is a rise in the interest rate.
e.
When household income rises, money demand increases from MD 1 to MD 2 in
Figure 3. The increase in money demand increases the interest rate.
Figure 4
2.
a.
The increase in the money supply will cause the equilibrium interest rate to
decline, as shown in Figure 4. Households will increase spending and will
invest in more new housing. Firms too will increase investment spending. This
will cause the aggregate demand curve to shift to the right as shown in Figure
5.
Figure 5
b.
As shown in Figure 5, the increase in aggregate demand will cause an increase
in both output and the price level in the short run.
c.
When the economy makes the transition from its short-run equilibrium to its
long-run equilibrium, short-run aggregate supply will decline, causing the price
level to rise even further.
d.
The increase in the price level will cause an increase in the demand for money,
raising the equilibrium interest rate.
e.
Yes. While output initially rises because of the increase in aggregate demand,
it will fall once short-run aggregate supply declines. Thus, there is no long-run
effect of the increase in the money supply on real output.
Figure 6
3.
a.
When more ATMs are available, money demand is reduced and the
money-demand curve shifts to the left from MD 1 to MD 2, as shown in Figure 6.
If the Fed does not change the money supply, which is at MS1, the interest rate
will decline from r1 to r2. The decline in the interest rate shifts the
aggregate-demand curve to the right, as consumption and investment
increase.
b.
If the Fed wants to stabilize aggregate demand, it should reduce the money
supply to MS 2, so the interest rate will remain at r1 and aggregate demand will
not change.
4.
A tax cut that is permanent will have a bigger impact on consumer spending and
aggregate demand. If the tax cut is permanent, consumers will view it as adding
substantially to their financial resources, and they will increase their spending
substantially. If the tax cut is temporary, consumers will view it as adding just a little to
their financial resources, so they will not increase spending as much.
5.
a. The current situation is shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7
b.
The Fed will want to stimulate aggregate demand. Thus, it will need to lower
the interest rate by increasing the money supply. This could be achieved if the
Fed purchases government bonds from the public.
Figure 8
c.
As shown in Figure 8, the Fed's purchase of government bonds shifts the
supply of money to the right, lowering the interest rate.
d.
The Fed's purchase of government bonds will increase aggregate demand as
consumers and firms respond to lower interest rates. Output and the price
level will rise as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9
6.
a.
Legislation allowing banks to pay interest on checking deposits increases the
return to money relative to other financial assets, thus increasing money
demand.
b.
If the money supply remained constant (at MS1), the increase in the demand
for money would have raised the interest rate, as shown in Figure 10. The rise
in the interest rate would have reduced consumption and investment, thus
reducing aggregate demand and output.
c.
To maintain a constant interest rate, the Fed would need to increase the
money supply from MS 1 to MS 2. Then aggregate demand and output would be
unaffected.
Figure 10
7.
a.
If there is no crowding out, then the multiplier equals 1/(1 – MPC ). Because
the multiplier is 3, then MPC = 2/3.
b.
If there is crowding out, then the MPC would be larger than 2/3. An MPC that is
larger than 2/3 would lead to a larger multiplier than 3, which is then reduced
down to 3 by the crowding-out effect.
8.
a.
The initial effect of the tax reduction of $20 billion is to increase aggregate
demand by $20 billion x 3/4 (the MPC ) = $15 billion.
b.
Additional effects follow this initial effect as the added incomes are spent. The
second round leads to increased consumption spending of $15 billion x 3/4 =
$11.25 billion. The third round gives an increase in consumption of $11.25
billion x 3/4 = $8.44 billion. The effects continue indefinitely. Adding them all
up gives a total effect that depends on the multiplier. With an MPC of 3/4, the
multiplier is 1/(1 – 3/4) = 4. So the total effect is $15 billion x 4 = $60 billion.
c.
Government purchases have an initial effect of the full $20 billion, because
they increase aggregate demand directly by that amount. The total effect of an
increase in government purchases is thus $20 billion x 4 = $80 billion. So
government purchases lead to a bigger effect on output than a tax cut does.
The difference arises because government purchases affect aggregate
demand by the full amount, but a tax cut is partly saved by consumers, and
therefore does not lead to as much of an increase in aggregate demand.
9.
If government spending increases, aggregate demand rises, so money demand rises.
The increase in money demand leads to a rise in the interest rate and thus a decline in
aggregate demand if the Fed does not respond. But if the Fed maintains a fixed interest
rate, it will increase money supply, so aggregate demand will not decline. Thus, the
effect on aggregate demand from an increase in government spending will be larger if
the Fed maintains a fixed interest rate.
10.
a.
Expansionary fiscal policy is more likely to lead to a short-run increase in
investment if the investment accelerator is large. A large investment
accelerator means that the increase in output caused by expansionary fiscal
policy will induce a large increase in investment. Without a large accelerator,
investment might decline because the increase in aggregate demand will raise
the interest rate.
b.
Expansionary fiscal policy is more likely to lead to a short-run increase in
investment if the interest sensitivity of investment is small. Because fiscal
policy increases aggregate demand, thus increasing money demand and the
interest rate, the greater the sensitivity of investment to the interest rate the
greater the decline in investment will be, which will offset the positive
accelerator effect.
11.
a.
Tax revenue declines when the economy goes into a recession because taxes
are closely related to economic activity. In a recession, people's incomes and
wages fall, as do firms' profits, so taxes on these things decline.
b.
Government spending rises when the economy goes into a recession because
more people get unemployment-insurance benefits, welfare benefits, and
other forms of income support.
c.
If the government were to operate under a strict balanced-budget rule, it
would have to raise tax rates or cut government spending in a recession. Both
would reduce aggregate demand, making the recession more severe.
12.
a.
If there were a contraction in aggregate demand, the Fed would need to
increase the money supply to increase aggregate demand and stabilize the
price level, as shown in Figure 11. By increasing the money supply, the Fed is
able to shift the aggregate-demand curve back to AD 1 from AD 2. This policy
stabilizes output and the price level.
Figure 11
b.
If there were an adverse shift in short-run aggregate supply, the Fed would
need to decrease the money supply to stabilize the price level, shifting the
aggregate-demand curve to the left from AD 1 to AD 2, as shown in Figure 12.
This worsens the recession caused by the shift in aggregate supply. To
stabilize output, the Fed would need to increase the money supply, shifting the
aggregate-demand curve from AD 1 to AD 3. However, this action would raise
the price level.
Figure 12
13.
Many answers are possible.
Chapter 35
Quick Quizzes
The answers to the Quick Quizzes can also be found near the end of the textbook.
1.
The Phillips curve is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
To see how policy can move the economy from a point with high inflation to a point
with low inflation, suppose the economy begins at point A in Figure 2.
If policy is used
to reduce aggregate demand (such as a decrease in the money supply or a decrease in
government purchases), the aggregate-demand curve shifts from AD1 to AD2, and the
economy moves from point A to point B with lower inflation, a reduction in real GDP,
and an increase in the unemployment rate.
Figure 2
2.
Figure 3 shows the short-run Phillips curve and the long-run Phillips curve.
The
curves are different because in the long run, monetary policy has no effect on
unemployment, which tends toward its natural rate.
monetary policy can affect the unemployment rate.
However, in the short run,
An increase in the growth rate of
money raises actual inflation above expected inflation, causing firms to produce more
since the short-run aggregate supply curve is positively sloped, which reduces
unemployment temporarily.
Figure 3
3.
Examples of favorable shocks to aggregate supply include improved productivity and a
decline in oil prices.
Either shock shifts the aggregate-supply curve to the right,
increasing output and reducing the price level, moving the economy from point A to
point B in Figure 4. As a result, the Phillips curve shifts to the left, as the figure shows.
Figure 4
4.
The sacrifice ratio is the number of percentage points of annual output lost in the
process of reducing inflation by 1 percentage point.
The credibility of the Fed’s
commitment to reduce inflation might affect the sacrifice ratio because it affects the
speed at which expectations of inflation adjust.
If the Fed’s commitment to reduce
inflation is credible, people will reduce their expectations of inflation quickly, the
short-run Phillips curve will shift downward, and the cost of reducing inflation will be
low in terms of lost output.
But if the Fed is not credible, people will not reduce their
expectations of inflation quickly, and the cost of reducing inflation will be high in terms
of lost output.
Questions for Review
Figure 5
1.
Figure 5 shows the short-run trade-off between inflation and unemployment. The Fed
can move from one point on this curve to another by changing the money supply. An
increase in the money supply reduces the unemployment rate and increases the
inflation rate, while a decrease in the money supply increases the unemployment rate
and decreases the inflation rate.
Figure 6
2.
Figure 6 shows the long-run trade-off between inflation and unemployment. In the
long run, there is no trade-off, as the economy must return to the natural rate of
unemployment on the long-run Phillips curve. In the short run, the economy can move
along a short-run Phillips curve, like SRPC1 shown in the figure. But over time (as
inflation expectations adjust) the short-run Phillips curve will shift to return the
economy to the long-run Phillips curve, for example shifting from SRPC1 to SRPC2.
3.
The natural rate of unemployment is natural because it is beyond the influence of
monetary policy. The rate of unemployment will move to its natural rate in the long
run, regardless of the inflation rate.
The natural rate of unemployment might differ across countries because countries
have varying degrees of union power, minimum-wage laws, collective-bargaining laws,
unemployment insurance, job-training programs, and other factors that influence
labor-market conditions.
4.
If a drought destroys farm crops and drives up the price of food, the short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts up, as does the short-run Phillips curve, because the
costs of production have increased. The higher short-run Phillips curve means the
inflation rate will be higher for any given unemployment rate.
5.
When the Fed decides to reduce inflation, the economy moves down along the
short-run Phillips curve, as shown in Figure 7. Beginning at point A on short-run Phillips
curve SRPC1, the economy moves down to point B as inflation declines. Once people's
expectations adjust to the lower rate of inflation, the short-run Phillips curve shifts to
SRPC2, and the economy moves to point C. The short-run costs of disinflation, which
arise because the unemployment rate is temporarily above its natural rate, could be
reduced if the Fed's action was credible, so that expectations would adjust more
rapidly.
Figure 7
Problems and Applications
1.
Figure 8 shows two different short-run Phillips curves depicting these four points.
Points A and D are on SRPC1 because both have expected inflation of 3%. Points B and
C are on SRPC2 because both have expected inflation of 5%.
Figure 8
2.
a.
A rise in the natural rate of unemployment shifts the long-run Phillips curve to
the right and the short-run Phillips curve up, as shown in Figure 9. The
economy is initially on LRPC1 and SRPC1 at an inflation rate of 3%, which is
also the expected rate of inflation. The increase in the natural rate of
unemployment shifts the long-run Phillips curve to LRPC2 and the short-run
Phillips curve to SRPC2, with the expected rate of inflation remaining equal to
3%.
Figure 9
b.
A decline in the price of imported oil shifts the short-run Phillips curve down, as
shown in Figure 10, from SRPC1 to SRPC2. For any given unemployment rate,
the inflation rate is lower, because oil is such a significant aspect of production
costs in the economy.
Figure 10
c.
A rise in government spending represents an increase in aggregate demand,
so it moves the economy along the short-run Phillips curve, as shown in Figure
11. The economy moves from point A to point B, with a decline in the
unemployment rate and an increase in the inflation rate.
Figure 11
d.
A decline in expected inflation causes the short-run Phillips curve to shift down,
as shown in Figure 12. The lower rate of expected inflation shifts the short-run
Phillips curve from SRPC1 to SRPC2.
Figure 12
Figure 13
3.
a.
Figure 13 shows how a rise in investment spending causes an expansion in
both an aggregate-supply/aggregate-demand diagram and a Phillips-curve
diagram. In both diagrams, the economy begins at full employment at point A.
The rise in investment spending increases aggregate demand, shifting the
aggregate-demand curve to the right from AD1 to AD2. The economy initially
remains on the short-run aggregate-supply curve SRAS1, so the new
equilibrium occurs at point B. The movement of the aggregate-demand curve
along the short-run aggregate-supply curve leads to a movement along
short-run Phillips curve SRPC1, from point A to point B. The higher price level in
the aggregate-supply/aggregate-demand diagram corresponds to the higher
inflation rate in the Phillips-curve diagram. The higher level of output in the
aggregate-supply/aggregate-demand diagram corresponds to the lower
unemployment rate in the Phillips-curve diagram.
b.
As expected inflation rises over time, the short-run aggregate-supply curve
shifts left from AS1 to AS2, and the short-run Phillips curve shifts up from SRPC1
to SRPC2. In both diagrams, the economy eventually gets to point C, which is
back on the long-run aggregate-supply curve and long-run Phillips curve. After
the expansion is over, the economy faces a worse set of
inflation-unemployment combinations.
Figure 14
4.
a.
Figure 14 shows the economy in long-run equilibrium at point A, which is on
both the long-run and short-run Phillips curves.
b.
A wave of business pessimism reduces aggregate demand, moving the
economy to point B in the figure. The unemployment rate rises and the
inflation rate declines. If the Fed undertakes expansionary monetary policy, it
can increase aggregate demand, offsetting the pessimism and returning the
economy to point A, with the initial inflation rate and unemployment rate.
c.
Figure 15 shows the effects on the economy if the price of imported oil rises.
The higher price of imported oil shifts the short-run Phillips curve up from
SRPC 1 to SRPC 2. The economy moves from point A to point C, with a higher
inflation rate and higher unemployment rate. If the Fed engages in
expansionary monetary policy, it can return the economy to its original
unemployment rate at point D, but the inflation rate will be higher. If the Fed
engages in contractionary monetary policy, it can return the economy to its
original inflation rate at point E, but the unemployment rate will be higher. This
situation differs from that in part (b) because in part (b) the economy stayed
on the same short-run Phillips curve, but in part (c) the economy moved to a
higher short-run Phillips curve, which gives policymakers a less favorable
trade-off between inflation and unemployment.
Figure 15
5.
Economists who believe that expectations adjust quickly in response to changes in
policy would be more likely to favor using contractionary policy to reduce inflation than
economists with the opposite views. If expectations adjust quickly, the costs of
reducing inflation (in terms of lost output) will be relatively small. Thus, Milton would
be more in favor of following a policy to reduce inflation than would James.
Figure 16
6.
If the Fed acts on its belief that the natural rate of unemployment is 4%, when the
natural rate is in fact 5%, the result will be a spiraling up of the inflation rate, as shown
in Figure 16. Starting from a point on the long-run Phillips curve, with an
unemployment rate of 5%, the Fed will believe that the economy is in a recession,
because the unemployment rate is greater than its estimate of the natural rate.
Therefore, the Fed will increase the money supply, moving the economy along the
short-run Phillips curve SRPC1. The inflation rate will rise and the unemployment rate
will fall to 4%. As the inflation rate rises over time, expectations of inflation will rise,
and the short-run Phillips curve will shift up to SRPC2. This process will continue, and
the inflation rate will spiral upwards.
The Fed may eventually realize that its estimate of the natural rate of unemployment is
wrong by examining the rising trend in the inflation rate.
Figure 17
7.
a.
Figure 17 shows the effects of a fall in the price of oil. The short-run
aggregate-supply curve shifts to the right, reducing the price level and
increasing the quantity of output. The short-run Phillips curve shifts to the left.
In both diagrams, the economy moves from point A to point B. In equilibrium,
both the inflation rate and the unemployment rate decline.
b.
The effects of this event do not mean there is no short-run trade-off between
inflation and unemployment, as shifts in aggregate demand still move the
economy along the short-run Phillips curve.
8.
a.
If wage contracts have short durations, a recession induced by contractionary
monetary policy will be less severe, because wage contracts can be adjusted
more rapidly to reflect the lower inflation rate. This will allow a more rapid
movement of the short-run aggregate-supply curve and short-run Phillips
curve to restore the economy to long-run equilibrium.
b.
If there is little confidence in the Fed's determination to reduce inflation, a
recession induced by contractionary monetary policy will be more severe. It
will take longer for people's inflation expectations to adjust downwards.
c.
If expectations of inflation adjust quickly to actual inflation, a recession
induced by contractionary monetary policy will be less severe. In this case,
people's expectations adjust quickly, so the short-run Phillips curve shifts
quickly to restore the economy to long-run equilibrium at the natural rate of
unemployment.
9.
Even though inflation is unpopular, elected leaders do not always support efforts to
reduce inflation because of the short-run costs associated with disinflation. In
particular, as disinflation occurs, the unemployment rate rises, and when
unemployment is high people tend not to vote for incumbent politicians, blaming them
for the bad state of the economy. Thus, politicians tend not to support disinflation.
Economists believe that countries with independent central banks can reduce the cost
of disinflation because in those countries politicians cannot interfere with central banks'
disinflation efforts. People will believe the central bank when it announces a disinflation
because they know politicians cannot stop the disinflation. In countries with central
banks that are not independent, people know that politicians who are worried they will
not be reelected could stop a disinflation. As a result, the credibility of the central bank
is lower and the costs of disinflation are higher.
10.
If policymakers are uncertain about the value of the natural rate of unemployment (as
was clearly the case in the 1990s, when economists were continually revising their
estimates of the natural rate downward), they need to look at other variables. Because
there is a correspondence through the Phillips curve between inflation and
unemployment, when unemployment is close to its natural rate, inflation should not
change. Thus, policymakers can look at data on the inflation rate to judge how close
unemployment is to its natural rate. In addition, they can look at other macroeconomic
variables, including the components of GDP and interest rates, to try to disentangle
shifts in aggregate supply from shifts in aggregate demand, which (when combined
with information about inflation) can help them determine the appropriate stance for
monetary policy.